Lazy susan assembly

ABSTRACT

A rotatable platform is provided with a centrally disposed stanchion and a number of electrical kitchen appliances are grouped about the stanchion in a circular array. The platform is rotatably supported from a base about the axis of the stanchion and electrical connection to the appliances may be completed by pushing them inwardly toward the stanchion. An electrical outlet plug and cord extends to the base and a pair of electrical conductor rings and brushes complete the connection between the base and the platform so that the platform may be rotated to any desired position without interrupting the electrical circuit.

United States Patent [191 Dowis Feb. 26, 1974 1 LAZY SUSAN ASSEMBLY [76]lnventor: James W. Dowis, 127 Cambridge Ct., Hampton, Ga. 30228 22Filed: Sept. 26, 1972 21 App1.No.: 292,392

[52] US. Cl 339/5 P, 211/78, 339/147 P [51] Int. Cl H011 39/00 [58]Field of Search i. 211/78, 163; 339/5, 8, 147,

339/159, 182 RS; 259/D1G. 25

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,226,209 12/1940 Rizzuto339/5 P X 2,492,241 12/1949 Schillinger 3,479,632 11/1969 Galles 339/5 RFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 190,089 12/1922 Great Britain 211/78240,844 10/1962 Australia .,339/5P Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore 5 71 ABSTRACT A rotatable platform is provided with a centrally disposedstanchion and a number of electrical kitchen appliances are groupedabout the stanchion in a circular array. The platform is rotatablysupported from a base about the axis of the stanchion and electricalconnection to the appliances may be completed by pushing them inwardlytoward the stanchion. An electrical outlet plug and cord extends to thebase and a pair of electrical conductor rings and brushes complete theconnection between the base and the platform so that the platform may berotated to any desired position without interrupting the electricalcircult.

12 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures LAZY SUSAN ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a lazy susan type of device wherebyany one of a number of electrical kitchen appliances may be made readilyaccessible, the electrical appliances being separate and completeentities capable of bodily removal from the assembly and the electricalconnections to the individual appliances being completed by pushing theminwardly toward a central stanchion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, a base memberrotatably mounts a platform upon which a circular array of electricalappliances is arranged and the platform includes a vertically extendingstanchion centrally disposed thereon which presents a plurality of pairsof vertically spaced apertures for receiving prongs or electricalconductors protruding radially inwardly from the appliances. The supportand guide arrangement between the platform and base is such as toprovide a labyrinth passage effectively sealing the assembly against theentry of foreign material and within the confines of this annularlabyrinth type seal there is provided commutator means for establishingelectrical connection between the base and the platform in any positionof the latter. The stanchion is provided with a pair of annular contactbars snugly received therewithin and with which the conductors or prongsof the appliances may engage for electrical connection therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofan illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view partly in section illustrating details ofthe internal construction of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference at this time moreparticularly to FIG. I, the reference character 10 indicates a baseplate or member having a platform 12 surmounting same, the platformbeing provided with a centrally disposed stanchion 14 about which acircular array of individual electrical appliances such as the toasterindicated by the reference character 16, the blender l8 and the coffeemaker 20 are arranged, substantially as is shown.

As is shown in FIG. 2, the base 10 is provided with a pair ofconcentrically disposed and upstanding flanges as indicated by thereference characters 22 and 24 and the platform 10 is provided with acircular depending skirt portion 26 which projects into and betweenthese flanges 22 and 24. The lower face of the skirt 26 is provided witha trough or groove 28 receiving the balls 30 whereby the platform 12 issupported in anti-friction fashion from the base 10 for relativerotation with respect thereto. The flanges 22, 24, and the skirt 26acting therebetween, form in effect a labyrinth seal effectively toprevent the ingress of foreign material such as dust, dirt, moisture andthe like into the interior of the assemblage.

The base 10 is provided a pair of concentric conductor rings 32 and 34which are connected to the individual leads 36 and 38 of the extensioncord 40 having the usual connector plug 42 associated therewith so thatwhen the assemblage is plugged in, the two rings 32 and 34 areenergized. The rings 32 and 34 are centered on the axis of the stanchionl4 and the platform 12 carries a pair of spring urged contact brushes 44and 46 engaging the respective rings 32 and 34 so as continually tocomplete the electrical connection between the base and platform 12irrespective of the rotational position of the latter. The brushes 44and 46 are connected by means of leads 48 and 50 to the annular contactbars 52 and 54 respectively which are located within the in terior ofthe stanchion 14.

The stanchion 14 is of cylindrical configuration presenting a hollowinterior as shown and within which the bars 52 and 54 snugly arereceived. Preferably, the bars 52 and 54 are permanently affixed to thestanchion 14. The stanchion 14 is provided with a plurality of pairs ofopenings, ports or apertures such as the vertically spaced pair ofopenings 56 and 58 and each appliance is provided with a pair orprotruding prongs or electrical conductors 60 and 62 as is illustratedin FIG. 2 which, when the appliance is resting on the platform 12, maybe aligned with and pushed into one pair of openings 56, 58. The bars 52and 54 are at the respective heights of the openings 56 and 58 and maybe provided with tapered recesses or openings in alignment therewith, asindicated by the reference character 64 for example which can be snuglyengaged with the tapered clips 66 of the conductors 60, 62 wherebyelectrical contact is completed to the associated appliance. Normally,the appliances are spaced somewhat radially outwardly from the stanchion14 and when an appliance is desired to be used, it is simply pushedradially inwardly to engage the conductor 60, 62 through the associatedpair of openings 56 and 58 into electrical engagement with the bars 52and 54.

The appliances may have individual controls associated therewith, as forexample the timer setting 68 of the toaster as is indicated in FIG. 1 orthe individual speed buttons 70 for the blender 18 as is also indicatedin FIG. 1. Each appliance may be bodily removed from the assemblage forcleaning, repairing or other purposes and when selected for use, simplypushed in as aforesaid to complete its electrical connection. Theassemblage may be rotated about the axis of the stanchion 14 to positionany particular appliance at a desired position at the discretion of theuser.

What is claimed is:

l. A lazy susan type of electrical kitchen appliance whereby any one ofa number of individual electrical appliances may be brought to a desiredposition, comprising in combination:

a platform having a centrally disposed, upstanding stanchion and acircular array of electrical appliances grouped around said stanchion,each of said appliances having a pair of electrical connectors and saidstanchion having openings for receiving said connectors whereby saidappliances may be pushed inwardly toward said stanchion to obtainelectrical energization thereof;

contact means within said stanchion for electrical connectionrespectively with each of said pair of electrical connectors of theappliances;

a base rotatably supporting said platform about the axis of saidstanchion; and,

means coacting between said base and said platform for electricallyenergizing said contact means irrespective of the rotational position ofsaid platform on said base.

2. The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said stanchionis in the form of a hollow cylinder and said contact means comprises apair of vertically spaced annular contact bars snugly received in saidstanchion.

3. The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the lastmentioned means comprises a pair of concentric conductor ringsconcentric with said axis of the stanchion and a pair of contact brushesengaging said conductor rings.

4. The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said base isprovided with a pair of concentric, upstanding annular flanges centeredin said axis and said platform includes an annular, depending skirtreceived between said flanges.

5. The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said means forelectrically energizing said contact means is disposed inwardly of thelabyrinth provided by said flanges and said skirt.

a plurality of sector-shaped electrical applicances supported on saidplatform, each having a pair of electrical connectors projectinghorizontally therefrom in alignment with a pair'of said ports;

separate electrical contact means within said stanchion at each pair ofsaid ports; and

means coacting between said base and said platform for electricallyenergizing said conductor means irrespective of the rotational positionof said platform on said base. 8. The lazy susan assembly as defined inclaim 7 wherein said stanchion is in the form of a hollow cylinder andsaid contact means comprises a pair of verti cally spaced annularcontact bars snugly received in said stanchion.

9. The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein the lastmentioned means comprises a pair of concentric conductor ringsconcentric withsaid axis of the stanchion and a pair of contact brushesengaging said conductor rings. 10. The lazy susan assembly as defined inclaim 7 wherein said base is provided with a pair of concentric,upstanding annular flanges centered on said axis and saidplatformincludes an annular, depending skirt received between, saidflanges.

11. The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said meansfor electrically energizing said contact means is disposed inwardly ofthe labyrinth provided by said flanges and said skirt.

12. The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 11 including ballbearing means interposed between said skirt and said base.

1. A lazy susan type of electrical kitchen appliance whereby any one ofa number of individual electrical appliances may be brought to a desiredposition, comprising in combination: a platform having a centrallydisposed, upstanding stanchion and a circular array of electricalappliances grouped around said stanchion, each of said appliances havinga pair of electrical connectors and said stanchion having openings forreceiving said connectors whereby said appliances may be pushed inwardlytoward said stanchion to obtain electrical energization thereof; contactmeans within said stanchion for electrical connection respectively witheach of said pair of electrical connectors of the appliances; a baserotatably supporting said platform about the axis of said stanchion;and, means coacting between said base and said platform for electricallyenergizing said contact means irrespective of the rotational position ofsaid platform on said base.
 2. The lazy susan assembly as defined inclaim 1 wherein said stanchion is in the form of a hollow cylinder andsaid contact means comprises a pair of vertically spaced annular contactbars snugly received in said stanchion.
 3. The lazy susan assembly asdefined in claim 1 wherein the last mentioned means comprises a pair ofconcentric conductor rings concentric with said axis of the sTanchionand a pair of contact brushes engaging said conductor rings.
 4. The lazysusan assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said base is provided witha pair of concentric, upstanding annular flanges centered in said axisand said platform includes an annular, depending skirt received betweensaid flanges.
 5. The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 4 whereinsaid means for electrically energizing said contact means is disposedinwardly of the labyrinth provided by said flanges and said skirt. 6.The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 5 including ball bearingmeans interposed between said skirt and said base.
 7. A lazy susanelectrical kitchen appliance assembly comprising, in combination: a baseand a platform surmounting said base; means for guiding and supportingsaid platform on said base for rotation about a vertical axis; astanchion fixed to said platform and upstanding therefrom in alignmentwith said axis of rotation, said stanchion having a plurality of pairsof electrical connection ports disposed in horizontally spaced relationtherearound; a plurality of sector-shaped electrical applicancessupported on said platform, each having a pair of electrical connectorsprojecting horizontally therefrom in alignment with a pair of saidports; separate electrical contact means within said stanchion at eachpair of said ports; and means coacting between said base and saidplatform for electrically energizing said conductor means irrespectiveof the rotational position of said platform on said base.
 8. The lazysusan assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said stanchion is in theform of a hollow cylinder and said contact means comprises a pair ofvertically spaced annular contact bars snugly received in saidstanchion.
 9. The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein thelast mentioned means comprises a pair of concentric conductor ringsconcentric with said axis of the stanchion and a pair of contact brushesengaging said conductor rings.
 10. The lazy susan assembly as defined inclaim 7 wherein said base is provided with a pair of concentric,upstanding annular flanges centered on said axis and said platformincludes an annular, depending skirt received between said flanges. 11.The lazy susan assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein said means forelectrically energizing said contact means is disposed inwardly of thelabyrinth provided by said flanges and said skirt.
 12. The lazy susanassembly as defined in claim 11 including ball bearing means interposedbetween said skirt and said base.